Seeking homeownership assistance in Arizona? Look no further! Check out these resources to navigate your path to owning a home:

1 Connect with community contacts to explore available assistance programs. Locally Maricopa County offers the Home in 5 Advantage program for down payment assistance.

2 Seek guidance from HUD approved housing counseling agencies for personalized support.

3 Partner with Habitat for Humanity to join hands in building and rehabilitating homes for families in need.

4 Explore homebuyer programs in rural areas through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

And don't forget to explore city programs in El Mirage, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Peoria, Pima County, and Surprise!  Your dream of homeownership is within reach – let's make it happen together. #ArizonaHousing #HomeownershipAssistance #CommunitySupport 

April tends to be a busy month for most people. It’s all-too-easy to feel drained and even burned-out. Unfortunately, you may not have the luxury of time to relax with a good book or go to a yoga class. So, with that in mind, here are some proven ways to quickly unwind and boost your energy:

1. Take a short walk. Scientists say your body will often de-stress significantly after just a 12-minute stroll.
2. Drink a glass of water. Dehydration, which can come on without you realizing it, can quickly lead to fatigue and tension.
3. Do something completely different. Often, if you completely remove yourself from a situation or activity, even for just a few minutes, you’ll come back feeling better. So, take a moment for yourself!
4. Breathe and stretch. It’s almost impossible to feel tense after a few deep breaths and some stretching exercises. In fact, that’s where the urge to yawn and stretch comes from. It’s your body’s way of boosting energy!
5. Write it down. If you’re worried or frustrated about something, writing it down will feel like deflating that balloon of stress. Taking it off your shoulders and onto paper will put the concern into perspective. 

Try one of these tips the next time you feel overwhelmed.

The top retail store chains invest heavily in creating just the right lighting to make their products look great. Why? They know that lighting makes a measureable difference to sales.

The same is true when you sell your home. Lighting can make a big difference in the impression your home has on buyers.

There are two types of light sources, manufactured and natural. You need to consider both when staging your home for sale.

Think about the mood you want to create in each room. For example, you might want the kitchen to seem bright and alive. If yours isn’t quite like that, check whether you are using the highest wattage light bulbs suitable for your fixtures. Also, look for ways to bring in more sunshine. Switching curtains for blinds might do the trick.

In the living room, you might want a cozier feel. That can be accomplished by using lamps that cast a softer and gentler light than more imposing overhead fixtures.

Pay particular attention to dimly lit rooms in your home, including nooks and crannies. Even adding small track lighting to a pantry cupboard can make the space seem brighter and more inviting. Check that lighting is adequate in the garage and walk-in closets too.

Finally, make sure all lights in your home work during viewings. Have spare bulbs available in case one burns out. You don’t want a buyer to try to turn on a light and discover it’s not working.

During a marathon, organizers typically set up signs along the route to indicate distances completed. For example, one might say, “You’ve just finished 4K!” They do that for two reasons: to let runners know where they are; and, to motivate them.

Why are these signs motivational? They give runners an ongoing sense of accomplishment. The runners have “finished” a certain section of the marathon. They’ve reached a milestone. That part is done! As a result, they feel inspired to continue on.

You may feel the same way when you finish a project or task. Energized!

You can use this phenomenon to help you reach your 2022 goals. If you have a big goal, you can divide it into specific milestones that will give you that motivating sense of completion. Say, for example, you want to lose weight. Your milestones might include:

• Make a nutritional eating plan.

• Find a weight loss buddy to share the journey.

• Lose your first 5 pounds.

As you check off each milestone, you’ll become motivated to take on the next. Give this technique a try!